OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Gahanna City Council Regular Meeting - August 20, 2025

City Council & Commissions — Wednesday, August 20, 2025
BodyGahanna, Ohio
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateWednesday, August 20, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 55:30

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Good evening.

0:01

We'll call to order this meeting of the Gehana City Council for Monday, August 18th, 2025.

0:07

If you would please join me to stand for the invocation delivered by Council Vice President Trenton Weaver, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by our Boy Scout troop in attendance.

0:18

As we gather this evening, we do so in the spirit of new beginnings, mindful of the responsibility entrusted to us.

0:25

May our deliberations be guided by wisdom, fairness, and a commitment to the greater good of our city.

0:31

Let us approach our work with open minds, respectful dialogue, and a shared dedication to building a stronger and more hopeful future for all.

0:40

Thank you.

0:41

A Scout Troop 317's representatives would join us at the uh to lead us in the pledge.

0:52

Wherever you're comfortable, that's perfect.

0:55

Okay.

1:00

Congratulations to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:08

One nation, God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:16

Thank you so much, Troop 317.

1:19

Mr.

1:19

Van Meter, would you please call the role?

1:22

Ours.

1:22

Here.

1:23

Jones.

1:23

Here.

1:24

McGregor.

1:25

Here.

1:25

Hadova.

1:26

Here.

1:26

Renner.

1:27

Here.

1:27

Schnitzer.

1:28

Here.

1:28

Weaver.

1:29

Here.

1:30

Thank you, Mr.

1:31

Van Meter.

1:31

Are there any additions or corrections to this evening's agenda?

1:35

All right, hearing none, we'll move on to presentations this evening.

1:38

We have one item on tonight's agenda, a joint resolution and proclamation to designate August 2025 as Share the Road and Distracted Driving Awareness Month in re in memory of Roseanne Pfeiffer.

1:51

Tonight we bring forward this joint resolution and proclamation to honor and to uh remember Roseanne Pfeiffer.

2:00

Roseanne was an experienced triathlete, a beloved mother and wife, and friend whose life was tragically cut short earlier this year when a distracted driver crossed the center lane and struck her while she was cycling.

2:12

Those who knew her remember her love, strength, and unyielding zest for life.

2:17

Qualities that inspired her family, friends, and teammates, and that continue to inspire this call to action.

2:24

This resolution proclamation is a reminder that crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists are preventable, but only if we remain vigilant.

2:33

It urges drivers to slow down, to put away distractions, and to look carefully for those sharing our roadways.

2:42

It calls on all of us, whether we are behind the wheel, on a bike or on foot, to take responsibility for keeping one another safe.

2:50

It also affirms the city's commitment to building safer infrastructure that supports walking, cycling, and active transportation for all.

2:58

I want to thank uh our guests in attendance this evening, cyclists, cycling advocates, and community members here tonight for your work in raising awareness and pushing for change.

3:10

Your voices help save lives.

3:12

I also want to thank our local law enforcement, Gehana Division of Police, for their continued dedication to maintaining safe roads and protecting all who use them.

3:22

In honor of Roseanne's memory, let us all honor her example, living fully, caring deeply, and making sure we look out for one another every time we travel on our city streets.

3:32

At this time, we will share a video comment provided by Roseanne's sister Kristen.

3:37

Following the video, we will hear from Nicole Reese, a friend and mentee of Roseanne's, who will offer remarks on behalf of Roseanne's family.

3:45

And following her remarks, we will present her with a resolution proclamation.

4:10

My father had to call to tell me my sister, Roseanne, was killed by a distracted driver.

4:17

The screams I screamed will haunt me for the rest of my days.

4:22

Myself, Roseanne's husband Mike and my parents, who we were before, also died that day.

4:28

Roseanne is my only sister, older by 18 months.

4:33

And we did nearly everything together, including having our first children.

4:38

Both two and a half-year-old girls who will grow up, never having a memory of Roseanne.

4:44

Her own daughter will not have her own memory of her amazingly strong and kind-hearted mother.

4:50

Every plan we had for the summer, gone.

4:54

The person myself and her husband were supposed to grow old with and have a lifetime of memories with.

5:22

She lived life to the fullest.

5:24

And I could go on about her achievements in sport and her wins and the distances she competed at, like winning a 212-mile gravel race across Michigan, or being a part of the world triathlon for team USA, completing competing at national and world levels in Chicago, Cleveland, Cosmel, and Switzerland.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████30%
Transportation Safety██████████████████████22%
Parks and Recreation████████████12%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Education█████5%
Pending Litigation█████5%
Public Engagement█████5%
Arts And Culture████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Gahanna City Council Regular Meeting - August 20, 2025

Note: The agenda, minutes, and transcript indicate the meeting occurred on Monday, August 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The date August 20, 2025, is used per instruction.

The Gahanna City Council met in regular session on August 20, 2025, at City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting featured a joint resolution and proclamation designating August 2025 as Share the Road and Distracted Driving Awareness Month in memory of Roseann Peiffer, a triathlete killed by a distracted driver. Council unanimously adopted multiple ordinances, including emergency measures for sidewalk special assessments, an outdoor refreshment area reauthorization, and contracts for the Price Road House renovation and furniture for the Tech Center Drive municipal complex. Reports from representatives on regional planning, tourism, schools, and city departments were also presented.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approved (Unanimous): Council Regular Minutes from August 4, 2025 (2025-0155); Council Special Minutes from August 11, 2025 (2025-0156); Committee of the Whole Minutes from August 11, 2025 (2025-0157).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Maximilian Orsley of Gahanna thanked the Council for the proclamation but took issue with its wording suggesting individual attentiveness alone prevents deaths. He urged the city to build separated bicycle lanes with concrete barriers to protect cyclists and pedestrians.
  • Jessica Miller of Sunbury, Roseann Peiffer's sister-in-law, thanked the Council and Mayor for the proclamation and urged members to "compete with yourselves" to leave Gahanna's roads safer than when they took office.

Discussion Items

  • Joint Resolution/Proclamation (RES-0034-2025): Designating August 2025 as Share the Road and Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Council President Bowers introduced the item, noting it affirms the city's commitment to safer infrastructure. A video from Roseann's sister Kristen Jindra was played; Jindra reported that the distracted driver received 90 days in jail and a license suspension, criticized Ohio's penalty structure, and cited data from thewhiteline.org showing roughly 3,100 vulnerable road user deaths in Ohio from 2001–2023 (one life every three days) and Ohio ranking 48th for accountability. Nicole Reece, president of Toledo Area Bicyclists and a friend/coach of Roseann, spoke, calling the proclamation a call to action and urging statewide coalition-building. Councilmembers discussed the need for defensive infrastructure and separation of bike lanes. Vice President Weaver noted increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic with schools back in session.
  • Motion to Appoint Holly Haines to Parks and Recreation Board (MT-0010-2025): For Seat 1, unexpired term ending December 31, 2025, due to a July vacancy. Council President Bowers noted Haines' impressive knowledge and stewardship of the natural environment. Unanimously approved.
  • Ordinances for First Reading:
    • ORD-0035-2025: Accepting, approving, and ratifying recommendations of the Tax Incentive Review Council for tax year 2023. Introduced; no vote taken.
  • Ordinances for Second Reading/Adoption:
    • ORD-0031-2025: Levying special assessments for the 2022 Sidewalk Maintenance Program (emergency). An amendment was adopted to substitute EXHIBIT A. Unanimously adopted as amended (7-0).
    • ORD-0032-2025: Levying special assessments for the 2024 Sidewalk Maintenance Program (emergency). Council President Bowers acknowledged residents' comments at a prior public hearing and recognized the constant cost of home ownership. Unanimously adopted (7-0).
    • ORD-0034-2025: Reauthorizing and amending the Creekside Outdoor Refreshment Area (CORA) in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 4301.82. Unanimously adopted (7-0).
  • Ordinances for Introduction, Waiver & Adoption:
    • ORD-0036-2025: Authorizing the Mayor to award a contract to HGC Construction Co. for renovation and construction of the Price Road House facility, with supplemental appropriations. Second reading waived unanimously (7-0). Council President Bowers described the project as an outdoor exploration center. Unanimously adopted (7-0).
    • ORD-0033-2025: Authorizing an agreement with Winsted Company, LLC for furniture procurement and installation at 825 Tech Center Drive (emergency). Second reading waived unanimously (7-0). Unanimously adopted as an emergency (7-0).
  • Representative Reports:
    • Community Improvement Corporation (CIC): Councilmember Renner reported missing a CIC meeting earlier that evening due to a hard-to-find email notice; a regular meeting was confirmed for the following morning from 7:30–9:30 AM.
    • Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC): Councilmember Weaver reported the commission met August 14, 2025. Mayor Jadwin was elected secretary of the executive committee. Gahanna became home to an air quality alert monitor. MORPC adopted the 2025-2028 Regional Sustainability Agenda (RSA), which includes 5 overarching goals, 24 measurable objectives, and over 130 strategies. Mayor Jadwin noted that Gahanna recertified earlier in 2025 as a Sustainable 2050 member with Gold Plus Equity Champion status. Upcoming events: Emerging Energy Technologies Forum (Aug 27), Safe Streets Central Ohio (Sep 9), Summit on Sustainability (Sep 30).
    • Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB): Councilmember Padova reported that Jeff McCargish (with band North of Memphis) will perform at the Gahanna Market on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 PM. The Herb Center hosted a motor coach group that dined at 101 Craft Kitchen. Welcome bags were prepared for wedding guests. Visit Gahanna promoted the Chamber's Taste of Gahanna event on Sunday, August 24, 2025, from 5:00–8:00 PM at Edison.
    • School Board: Councilmember Jones reported highlights from the August 7, 2025 Board Workshop: high school data showed a 28% decrease in fighting incidents and a 14% increase in student belonging (measured by the Panorama survey). Upcoming meetings: Finance & Facilities (Aug 19, 6:30 PM), Regular Board Meeting (Aug 21, 6:30 PM at Clark Hall), Board Workshop (Sep 4, TBD). Chief Spence and Dr. Deagle appeared in a safety video emphasizing increased measures as school returned.
  • Official Reports:
    • Mayor Jadwin: Thanked Council for the proclamation. Noted that the Franklin County Engineers Office is leading paving/construction along the Morse Road corridor throughout September; Gahanna is partnering financially with New Albany. Announced a CALEA on-site accreditation visit this week, focusing on four pillars: recruiting, training, community engagement, mental health. Upcoming events: final Creekside Live concert (Aug 22, opening act 5:30 PM, Pop Gun performs later); Gahanna Ice Cream Social (Aug 26, 4:00–7:00 PM at Creekside Plaza) with final draft review of the strategic plan.
    • City Attorney Tamilarasan: Reported that the Pinnacle Pointe litigation (Brookewood Construction) concluded with no timely appeal. The tobacco preemption litigation has been appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court; process will move slowly.
  • Council Comment: Multiple councilmembers thanked Troop 317 for leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmember Renner expressed concern about drivers using the middle lane on Stygler Road as a passing lane, near Woodmark Run, and warned of a potential severe accident. Vice President Weaver thanked police for National Night Out and participated in a dunk tank. Council President Bowers discussed the Gahanna Energy Choice municipal aggregation program: rates increased but remain about $10 below the price-to-compare; she found another 100% renewable option at one cent less per kWh and encouraged residents to compare options on the PUCO website.

Key Outcomes

  • RES-0034-2025 adopted unanimously (7-0): Joint resolution/proclamation for Share the Road and Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
  • Holly Haines appointed to Parks and Recreation Board, Seat 1, unanimously (7-0).
  • ORD-0031-2025 (2022 sidewalk assessments) adopted as amended by substitute Exhibit A, unanimously as emergency (7-0).
  • ORD-0032-2025 (2024 sidewalk assessments) adopted as emergency, unanimously (7-0).
  • ORD-0034-2025 (CORA reauthorization) adopted, unanimously (7-0).
  • ORD-0036-2025 (Price Road House contract with HGC Construction) second reading waived, adopted unanimously (7-0).
  • ORD-0033-2025 (Furniture procurement for 825 Tech Center Drive) second reading waived, adopted as emergency unanimously (7-0).
  • Pinnacle Pointe litigation concluded; no appeal filed.
  • Tobacco preemption litigation appealed to Ohio Supreme Court; city attorney will keep council apprised.
  • Upcoming events: Ice Cream Social on August 26 (4–7 PM) for strategic plan final draft review; final Creekside Live on August 22; Morse Road paving throughout September; CALEA accreditation on-site visit through the week.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. We'll call to order this meeting of the Gehana City Council for Monday, August 18th, 2025. If you would please join me to stand for the invocation delivered by Council Vice President Trenton Weaver, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by our Boy Scout troop in attendance. As we gather this evening, we do so in the spirit of new beginnings, mindful of the responsibility entrusted to us. May our deliberations be guided by wisdom, fairness, and a commitment to the greater good of our city. Let us approach our work with open minds, respectful dialogue, and a shared dedication to building a stronger and more hopeful future for all. Thank you. A Scout Troop 317's representatives would join us at the uh to lead us in the pledge. Wherever you're comfortable, that's perfect. Okay. Congratulations to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you so much, Troop 317. Mr. Van Meter, would you please call the role? Ours. Here. Jones. Here. McGregor. Here. Hadova. Here. Renner. Here. Schnitzer. Here. Weaver. Here. Thank you, Mr. Van Meter. Are there any additions or corrections to this evening's agenda? All right, hearing none, we'll move on to presentations this evening. We have one item on tonight's agenda, a joint resolution and proclamation to designate August 2025 as Share the Road and Distracted Driving Awareness Month in re in memory of Roseanne Pfeiffer. Tonight we bring forward this joint resolution and proclamation to honor and to uh remember Roseanne Pfeiffer. Roseanne was an experienced triathlete, a beloved mother and wife, and friend whose life was tragically cut short earlier this year when a distracted driver crossed the center lane and struck her while she was cycling. Those who knew her remember her love, strength, and unyielding zest for life. Qualities that inspired her family, friends, and teammates, and that continue to inspire this call to action. This resolution proclamation is a reminder that crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists are preventable, but only if we remain vigilant. It urges drivers to slow down, to put away distractions, and to look carefully for those sharing our roadways. It calls on all of us, whether we are behind the wheel, on a bike or on foot, to take responsibility for keeping one another safe. It also affirms the city's commitment to building safer infrastructure that supports walking, cycling, and active transportation for all. I want to thank uh our guests in attendance this evening, cyclists, cycling advocates, and community members here tonight for your work in raising awareness and pushing for change. Your voices help save lives. I also want to thank our local law enforcement, Gehana Division of Police, for their continued dedication to maintaining safe roads and protecting all who use them. In honor of Roseanne's memory, let us all honor her example, living fully, caring deeply, and making sure we look out for one another every time we travel on our city streets. At this time, we will share a video comment provided by Roseanne's sister Kristen. Following the video, we will hear from Nicole Reese, a friend and mentee of Roseanne's, who will offer remarks on behalf of Roseanne's family. And following her remarks, we will present her with a resolution proclamation. My father had to call to tell me my sister, Roseanne, was killed by a distracted driver.

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